St. Paul’s Episcopal Church celebrates Oktoberfest
German food, beer, wine served at gathering
Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell tapped the first keg of this year’s Oktoberfest at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Sept. 29. Photos by SCOTT KRISKA
Anthony Culkar and the Old Country Boys entertained visitors of Oktoberfest with polka music shortly after the start of the event.
Mike Gezze (seated at right) created caricatures of some of the guests at Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church included lots of German food, such as pierogies, bratwurst and German chocolate cake.
MEDINA – A fall tradition was celebrated at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Sept. 29 when the church teamed up with Hofbrauhaus Cleveland to hold its second Oktoberfest.
Visitors indulged in beer, wine and German food while also enjoying musical performances throughout the afternoon and evening.
Tim Scheel, one of the coordinators of this event, explained the tradition started last year in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Episcopal Church in Ohio.
“During our 200th anniversary, we did monthly activities,” he said. “For September and October, we chose to do an Oktoberfest in association with Hofbrauhaus Cleveland.”
Last year, Scheel recalled, more than 500 people attended the church’s Oktoberfest. This year, he said, he anticipated up to 600 people would show up and said more than 400 tickets were sold.
This year’s Oktoberfest began when master of ceremonies Mark Weber introduced and welcomed Mayor Dennis Hanwell to the event and Hanwell tapped the first keg of the day.
Visitors were treated to performances by polka band Anthony Culkar and the Old Country Boys and rock band Jay & The Monotones. Caricaturist Mike Gezze created drawings of some of the guests who paid him a visit during the event. Several activities were available for children to participate in as well, including corn hole, face painting and a bounce house. A raffle was also held, giving away more than $1,400 worth of gift certificates and cards.
Some of the German food on the menu included bratwurst with sauerkraut, pierogies with caramelized onions, hot pretzels with beer cheese and desserts such as apple strudel and German chocolate cake. Drinks included Oktoberfest, Hefeweizen and Dunkel beers and Riesling, Chardonnay, Moscato, Red Blend and Sangria wines.
Scheel and the Rev. Dr. C. Eric Funston, the rector of the church, said this event is one way church employees and congregation members communicate with residents of Medina and beyond.
“It’s part of our effort as an active church in the community to reach out and invite them to our church,” Funston said.
Scheel expressed his thanks to the more than 50 volunteers from the church and representatives of Hofbrauhaus Cleveland who helped make this year’s Oktoberfest possible.
Visitors indulged in beer, wine and German food while also enjoying musical performances throughout the afternoon and evening.
Tim Scheel, one of the coordinators of this event, explained the tradition started last year in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Episcopal Church in Ohio.
“During our 200th anniversary, we did monthly activities,” he said. “For September and October, we chose to do an Oktoberfest in association with Hofbrauhaus Cleveland.”
Last year, Scheel recalled, more than 500 people attended the church’s Oktoberfest. This year, he said, he anticipated up to 600 people would show up and said more than 400 tickets were sold.
This year’s Oktoberfest began when master of ceremonies Mark Weber introduced and welcomed Mayor Dennis Hanwell to the event and Hanwell tapped the first keg of the day.
Visitors were treated to performances by polka band Anthony Culkar and the Old Country Boys and rock band Jay & The Monotones. Caricaturist Mike Gezze created drawings of some of the guests who paid him a visit during the event. Several activities were available for children to participate in as well, including corn hole, face painting and a bounce house. A raffle was also held, giving away more than $1,400 worth of gift certificates and cards.
Some of the German food on the menu included bratwurst with sauerkraut, pierogies with caramelized onions, hot pretzels with beer cheese and desserts such as apple strudel and German chocolate cake. Drinks included Oktoberfest, Hefeweizen and Dunkel beers and Riesling, Chardonnay, Moscato, Red Blend and Sangria wines.
Scheel and the Rev. Dr. C. Eric Funston, the rector of the church, said this event is one way church employees and congregation members communicate with residents of Medina and beyond.
“It’s part of our effort as an active church in the community to reach out and invite them to our church,” Funston said.
Scheel expressed his thanks to the more than 50 volunteers from the church and representatives of Hofbrauhaus Cleveland who helped make this year’s Oktoberfest possible.